System and method for making cement and cement derived therefrom

ABSTRACT

Integrated cement production systems and methods implementing the systems are disclosed, where the integrated cement production systems include a burnable fuel supply subsystem, a cement raw material supply subsystem, a kiln subsystem and a cement clinker composition storage subsystem. The burnable fuel supply subsystem is adapted to receive one or a plurality of used and/or unused healthcare materials. The burnable fuel supply subsystem can feed the materials directly into the kiln subsystem, can convert the materials into different form and feed the different form to the kiln subsystem or feed a combination of the materials, different forms and optionally conventional fuels to the kiln subsystem.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/649,230, filed Dec. 29, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,268,073, issuedSep. 18, 2012, which is related to co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/610,331, filed 1 Nov. 2009 (Nov. 1, 2009) and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/649,215, filed Dec. 29, 2009 (Dec. 29, 2009).These applications are incorporated herein by reference as set forth inthe closing paragraph of the specification, that closing paragraphoperable to incorporate by reference all articles, patents orapplications to the full extent allowed by the Law of the United Statesand for the purposes set forth therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of this invention relate to systems and methods for makingcement and to cement compositions derived therefrom.

More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate tosystems and methods for making cement and to cement compositions derivedtherefrom, where the system includes a cement raw material supplysubsystem, a burnable fuel supply subsystem, a cement kiln subsystem,and a cement storage and distribution subsystem. Embodiments of thesystems of this invention integrate a healthcare materials (used orunused) supply and conditioning subsystem into a traditional cementsubsystem so that healthcare materials (used or unused) can be directlyused as a fuel and/or a raw material in the cement production.

2. Description of the Related Art

Cement clinker is produced by feeding a mix of raw materials, such aslimestone and silica-containing materials, into a high temperaturerotating kiln. Generally, crushed raw materials are stored on site at acement plant in raw material storage facilities, such as a raw materialsilo or other suitable storage means. In addition to limestone, rawmaterials may include clay and sand, as well as other sources ofcalcium, silicon, aluminum, iron, and other elements. Raw materialsources may be transported from a nearby quarry or other sources.

The various raw material components are fed by a raw material feederinto a grinding and mixing facility, such as a raw mill. Raw materialcomponents may also be fed directly to a rotating kiln. The finalcomposition of the raw mix depends on the composition and proportion ofthe individual raw material components. The proportion of the rawmaterial components in the raw mix depends on the rate at which eachcomponent is fed into the raw mill or into the kiln.

The raw mix is heated in the rotating kiln, where it becomes partiallymolten and forms clinker minerals, or cement clinker. The cement clinkerthen exits the kiln and is rapidly cooled. The cooler may include agrate that is cooled by forced air, or other suitable heat exchangingmeans.

Clinker kiln dust may be emitted from the kiln and from the cooler,along with exhaust emissions. For example, clinker kiln dust may becomesuspended in the forced air used to cool the clinker exiting the kiln.The forced air may be filtered and reclaimed clinker kiln dust from thefilter may be fed back into the kiln system as a raw material input.

Fuels such as coal and petroleum coke are used to feed the kiln flame toheat the raw mix in the kiln. Other fuels may include whole tires, tirechips, or other alternative fuels such as liquid wastes and plastics andfuels disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/610,331, filed 1 Nov. 2009 (Nov. 1, 2009). Fuels may be stored at thecement plant in fuel storage containers, and fed into a fuel mill via afuel feeder. Gaseous fuels, such as natural gas, may also be used asfuel. Gaseous fuels may be piped to the kiln, and regulated by valves orother suitable flow regulation means. A quality control operatorgenerally monitors the rates at which fuels and raw materials are fed tothe kiln.

The composition and properties of the raw materials and fuels determinethe final composition of the cement clinker, and contribute to theoverall efficiency of the cement system. For example, the raw materialsand fuels each have a certain moisture percentage, indicative of theamount of water present. Further, the raw materials each have anassociated loss factor. The loss factor is indicative of the amount ofwater, CO₂ and organic matter that exits the raw material as it reachesthe high kiln temperatures. Each fuel has an associated heat value andash factor. The heat value is indicative of the amount of heat the fuelwill produce in the kiln. The ash factor is indicative of the amount offuel ash passed through from the fuel to the final cement clinkercomposition.

While many cement plants, systems and methods for making cement havebeen implemented and are currently being developed, there is a need inthe art for cement plants, systems and methods for making cement thatintegrate a subsystem adapted to receive and convert used healthcarematerials into a burnable fuel for cement production.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of this invention relate to systems for preparing cementincluding a cement raw material supply and conditioning subsystem, aburnable fuel supply subsystem, a kiln subsystem, and a cement storageand distribution subsystem. The burnable fuel supply subsystem isadapted to receive healthcare materials (used and/or unused) to producean input burnable fuel having a desired component makeup. The burnablefuel supply subsystem may also be adapted to pre-process all or aportion of the healthcare materials (used and/or unused) and/or theinput burnable fuel to produce a pre-processed burnable fuel. Theburnable fuel supply subsystem may also be adapted to size or size andpartially or completely homogenize all or a portion of the initialburnable fuel and/or the pre-processed burnable fuel to form a compositeburnable fuel comprising a particulate burnable fuel component andoptionally the input burnable fuel and/or the pre-processed burnablefuel. The burnable fuel supply subsystem may also be adapted to shapeall or a portion of the particulate burnable fuel into a compact shapeto form a shaped burnable fuel. The input burnable fuel, thepre-processed burnable fuel, the particulate burnable fuel and/or theshaped burnable fuel are then supplied to the kiln subsystem as a solefuel or a component fuel. The burnable fuel supply subsystem can alsoinclude sources of conventional gas, liquid or solid fuels such as coal,coke, natural gas, liquid hydrocarbons or other conventional fuels andinclude supply components for supplying the conventional fuels to thekiln subsystem.

Embodiments of this invention relate to methods for making cementincluding supplying a cement raw material to a kiln subsystem, where allor a portion of the cement raw material is conditioned prior tointroducing the raw cement material into the kiln subsystem. The methodsalso include forming an input burnable fuel from one or a plurality ofhealthcare materials (used and/or unused) in a burnable fuel subsystem.The methods also include supplying the input burnable fuel andoptionally a conventional fuel to the kiln subsystem. The methods alsoinclude heating and sintering the cement raw material and the fuel ashinto a cement clinker composition in the kiln subsystem using the fuelsupplied to the kiln subsystem by the burnable fuel subsystem. Themethods can also include conditioning all or a portion of the cement rawmaterial to form a conditioned raw material, all of which is supplied tothe kiln subsystem to produce the cement clinker composition. Themethods can also include pre-processing all or a portion of the inputburnable fuel to form a pre-processed burnable fuel. The methods canalso include sizing all or a portion of the input burnable fuel and/orthe pre-processed burnable fuel in a sizing or sizing and partially orcompletely homogenizing subsystem to form a particulate burnable fuel.The methods can also include shaping all or a portion of the particulateburnable fuel into a shaped burnable fuel. The methods can also includecontainerizing the particulate burnable fuel and/or the shaped burnablefuel prior to supplying the fuel to the kiln subsystem. The methods alsoinclude supplying a burnable fuel to the kiln subsystem, where theburnable fuel comprises the input burnable fuel, the pre-processedburnable fuel, the particulate burnable fuel, the shaped burnable fuel,the containerized particulate burnable fuel and/or containerized shapedburnable fuel, in any mixture or combination, and where the burning ofthe mixture is adapted to supply sufficient heat for proper kilnoperation and where the resulting ash contributes advantageously to theresulting cement clinker composition.

Embodiments of this invention relate to systems and methods for makingcement and to cement compositions derived therefrom, where the systemincludes a raw material supply and conditioning subsystem, a burnablefuel supply subsystem, a kiln subsystem, and a cement storage anddistribution subsystem. The burnable fuel supply subsystem takes in oneor a plurality of healthcare materials (used and/or unused) to form aninput burnable fuel. The burnable fuel supply subsystem optionallypre-processes all or a portion of the input burnable fuel to form apre-processed burnable fuel. The burnable fuel supply subsystemoptionally sizes or sizes and partially or completely homogenizes all ora portion of the input burnable fuel or the pre-processed burnable fuelto form a particulate burnable fuel. The burnable fuel supply subsystemoptionally shapes the all or a portion of the particulate burnable fuelinto a shaped burnable fuel. In certain embodiments, the burnable fuelsupply subsystem supplies a mixture of the burnable fuels to the kilnsubsystem, where the mixture can be the input burnable fuel, thepre-processed burnable fuel, the particulate burnable fuel, the shapedburnable fuel, the containerized particulate burnable fuel, and/or thecontainerized shaped material, and optionally one or more traditionfuels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood with reference to the followingdetailed description together with the appended illustrative drawings inwhich like elements are numbered the same:

Cement Production Systems

FIG. 1A depicts an embodiment of a cement production system of thisinvention.

FIG. 1B depicts another embodiment of a cement production system of thisinvention.

FIG. 1C depicts another embodiment of a cement production system of thisinvention.

Basic Burnable Fuel Supply Subsystem

FIG. 2A depicts an embodiment of a basic burnable fuel supply subsystemof this invention.

FIG. 2B depicts another embodiment of a basic burnable fuel supplysubsystem of this invention.

FIG. 2C depicts another embodiment of a basic burnable fuel supplysubsystem of this invention.

FIG. 2D depicts another embodiment of a basic burnable fuel supplysubsystem of this invention.

FIG. 2E depicts another embodiment of a basic burnable fuel supplysubsystem of this invention.

FIG. 2F depicts another embodiment of a basic burnable fuel supplysubsystem of this invention.

FIG. 2G depicts another embodiment of a basic burnable fuel supplysubsystem of this invention.

FIG. 2H depicts another embodiment of a basic burnable fuel supplysubsystem of this invention.

FIG. 2I depicts another embodiment of a basic burnable fuel supplysubsystem of this invention.

Burnable Fuel Supply Subsystem Including Pre-Processing Subsystem

FIG. 3A depicts an embodiment of a burnable fuel supply subsystemincluding a pre-processing subsystem of this invention.

FIG. 3B depicts another embodiment of a burnable fuel supply subsystemincluding a pre-processing subsystem of this invention.

FIG. 3C depicts another embodiment of a burnable fuel supply subsystemincluding a pre-processing subsystem of this invention.

FIG. 3D depicts another embodiment of a burnable fuel supply subsystemincluding a pre-processing subsystem of this invention.

FIG. 3E depicts another embodiment of a burnable fuel supply subsystemincluding a pre-processing subsystem of this invention.

FIG. 3F depicts another embodiment of a burnable fuel supply subsystemincluding a pre-processing subsystem of this invention.

FIG. 3G depicts another embodiment of a burnable fuel supply subsystemincluding a pre-processing subsystem of this invention.

FIG. 3H depicts another embodiment of a burnable fuel supply subsystemincluding a pre-processing subsystem of this invention.

FIG. 3I depicts another embodiment of a burnable fuel supply subsystemincluding a pre-processing subsystem of this invention.

Burnable Fuel Supply Subsystem Including Two Source Healthcare Materials

FIG. 4A depicts an embodiment of a burnable fuel supply subsystemincluding two source healthcare materials of this invention.

FIG. 4B depicts another embodiment of a burnable fuel supply subsystemincluding two source healthcare materials of this invention.

FIG. 4C depicts another embodiment of a burnable fuel supply subsystemincluding two source healthcare materials of this invention.

FIG. 4D depicts another embodiment of a burnable fuel supply subsystemincluding two source healthcare materials of this invention.

FIG. 4E depicts another embodiment of a burnable fuel supply subsystemincluding two source healthcare materials of this invention.

FIG. 4F depicts another embodiment of a burnable fuel supply subsystemincluding two source healthcare materials of this invention.

FIG. 4G depicts another embodiment of a burnable fuel supply subsystemincluding two source healthcare materials of this invention.

FIG. 4H depicts another embodiment of a burnable fuel supply subsystemincluding two source healthcare materials of this invention.

FIG. 4I depicts another embodiment of a burnable fuel supply subsystemincluding two source healthcare materials of this invention.

Basic Methods

FIG. 5A depicts an embodiment of a basic method of this invention.

FIG. 5B depicts another embodiment of a basic method of this invention.

FIG. 5C depicts another embodiment of a basic method of this invention.

FIG. 5D depicts another embodiment of a basic method of this invention.

FIG. 5E depicts another embodiment of a basic method of this invention.

FIG. 5F depicts another embodiment of a basic method of this invention.

FIG. 5G depicts another embodiment of a basic method of this invention.

FIG. 5H depicts another embodiment of a basic method of this invention.

FIG. 5I depicts another embodiment of a basic method of this invention.

Methods Including Pre-Processing

FIG. 6A depicts an embodiment of a method including pre-processing ofthis invention.

FIG. 6B depicts another embodiment of a method including pre-processingof this invention.

FIG. 6C depicts another embodiment of a method including pre-processingof this invention.

FIG. 6D depicts another embodiment of a method including pre-processingof this invention.

FIG. 6E depicts another embodiment of a method including pre-processingof this invention.

FIG. 6F depicts another embodiment of a method including pre-processingof this invention.

FIG. 6G depicts another embodiment of a method including pre-processingof this invention.

FIG. 6H depicts another embodiment of a method including pre-processingof this invention.

FIG. 6I depicts another embodiment of a method including pre-processingof this invention.

Methods Including Two Source Healthcare Materials

FIG. 7A depicts an embodiment of a method including two sourcehealthcare materials of this invention.

FIG. 7B depicts another embodiment of a method including two sourcehealthcare materials of this invention.

FIG. 7C depicts another embodiment of a method including two sourcehealthcare materials of this invention.

FIG. 7D depicts another embodiment of a method including two sourcehealthcare materials of this invention.

FIG. 7E depicts another embodiment of a method including two sourcehealthcare materials of this invention.

FIG. 7F depicts another embodiment of a method including two sourcehealthcare materials of this invention.

FIG. 7G depicts another embodiment of a method including two sourcehealthcare materials of this invention.

FIG. 7H depicts another embodiment of a method including two sourcehealthcare materials of this invention.

FIG. 7I depicts another embodiment of a method including two sourcehealthcare materials of this invention.

Burnable Fuels

FIG. 8 depicts an image of a particulate burnable fuel of thisinvention.

FIG. 9 depicts an image of a shaped burnable fuel of this invention.

FIG. 10 depicts an image of a source of used healthcare materialcomprising boxes delivered to the burnable fuel supply subsystem by theUnited States Postal Service.

FIG. 11 depicts an image of a pre-treated (disinfected) source of usedhealthcare material, which can be burned directly or subsequentlyprocessed as set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The inventors have found that an integrated cement plant can beimplemented, where some or all of the fuel needs are meant through aburnable fuel derived from one or a plurality of healthcare materials(used and/or unused) formed into an input burnable fuel having a desiredcompositions of material components. Embodiments of the inventioninclude a cement plant including an integrated burnable fuel supplysubsystem that receives one or a plurality of healthcare materials (usedand/or unused), optionally one or more virgin materials, optionally oneor more other materials and produces a burnable fuel tailored to meetthe fuel needs of the cement plant from a fuel value and compositionalperspective. The burnable fuel supply subsystem can supply: (i) an inputburnable fuel and/or a containerized input burnable fuel, (ii) apre-processed material and/or a containerized pre-processed material,(iii) a particulate burnable fuel and/or a containerized particulateburnable fuel, (iv) a shaped burnable fuel and/or a containerized shapedburnable fuel, (v) one or more traditional fuels, or (vi) a mixture orcombination of any of the above, provided that the mixture orcombination include one of the fuels derived from the healthcarematerials. For particulate burnable fuel embodiments, the burnable fuelsupply subsystem may include a feeder assembly for feeding theparticulate burnable fuel directly into the kiln subsystem. Many of theparticulate burnable fuels of this invention are fluffy and as such mayrequire specialized feeder assemblies to feed the fuel into the kilnsubsystem. For mixed fuel embodiments, the burnable fuel supplysubsystem may include a feeder assembly for feeding the particulateburnable fuel, a separate feeding assembly for feeding the shapedburnable fuel, a separate feeding assembly for feeding an input burnablefuel and/or a pre-processed burnable fuel directly into a kiln subsystemand a separate feeding assembly for feeding the one or more traditionalfuels into the kiln subsystem. In other mixed fuel embodiments, theburnable fuel supply subsystem may include a single feeding assembly forfeeding a fuel including one or more input burnable fuels, one or morepre-processed burnable fuels, one or more particulate burnable fuels,and/or one or more shaped burnable fuels and optionally one or moretraditional fuels.

Suitable Reagents and Equipment of the Invention

Suitable healthcare materials (used and/or unused) include, withoutlimitation, any healthcare material, which can include medical wastegenerated by people, doctors, doctor offices, clinics, emergencyclinics, hospitals, dentists, dentistry clinics and hospitals,veterinarians, veterinary clinics and hospitals, farms, farmer, ranches,ranchers, or producers of used healthcare material and/or otherfacilities that produce used healthcare material or unused healthcarematerials, or mixtures or combinations. The healthcare material (usedand/or unused) is generally a complex mixture of components. The complexmixtures include, without limitation, metal materials or metallicmaterials, pulp materials, polymer materials and/or other materials.

Pulp materials suitable for use herein include, without limitation,wood, wood chips, sawdust, paper, cardboard, and/or mixtures orcombinations thereof.

Fiber materials suitable for use herein include, without limitation,natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or the like and mixtures orcombinations thereof. Exemplary fibers include, without limitation,inorganic fibers, carbon fibers, organic fibers, ceramic fibers, anyother fibrous material and mixtures or combinations thereof.

Fabric materials suitable for use herein include, without limitation,any natural or synthetic fabric and mixtures or combinations thereof.Exemplary examples include, without limitation, cotton, wool and otherfabrics made from animals or plants, RAYON, DACRON, fabric made ofpolyamides, or any other fabric or mixtures or combinations thereof.

The metal or metallic materials include, without limitation, any metalor metal alloy including a metal from the periodic table of elements.Exemplary examples include, alkali metals (Group 1 metals), alkalineearth metals (Group 2 metals), transition metals (Group 3-12 metals),Lanthanide metals, Actinide metals, post-transition metals, metalloids,or mixtures or combinations thereof. Certain metals and metalloids maybe removed prior to use depending on the use to which the burnable fuelsis put. The metals can be in any form such as fibers, pieces, devicesincluding metals, etc. and mixtures or combinations thereof.

Ceramic materials suitable for use herein include, without limitation,any ceramic material or ceramic containing material or mixtures orcombinations thereof. Exemplary examples include, without limitation,glass, dishes, clay pots, any other object that contains a ceramicmaterial, and mixtures or combinations thereof.

The polymer materials suitable for use herein include, withoutlimitation, plastics, thermoplastics, elastomers, thermoplasticelastomers, resins, and other polymer or polymeric materials and/ormixtures or combinations thereof.

Other materials can include, without limitation, chemicals, ash,pharmaceuticals, ceramics, binding agents, any other materials and/ormixtures or combinations thereof. The inventors have also found that ashderived from incinerating certain used or waste materials, where the ashstill has components or fuel value can be added to the material tochange or augment a compositional makeup of the fuel.

In all of the mixtures, polymer materials from other sources of waste orvirgin polymer materials can be added as binding agents to the materialbefore burning or before forming the material into a desired compactshape followed by combustion of the fuel. The inventors believe thatcertain materials in the fuels of this invention, such as polymericmaterials or other binding agents, act as binders in the shapingprocess, e.g., pelletizing, and help to increase the combustible natureof the resulting fuel.

Suitable virgin materials can be any material that has not been used andis added to the input burnable fuel to change a property of theresulting fuel including altering a fuel value of the material, alteringan ash composition of the material, altering a fluidity of the material,altering a bulk density of the material, altering the cohesiveness ofthe material, altering the wettability of the material, or alteringother properties or two or more properties of the material.

Suitable pre-treating or pre-processing equipment includes, withoutlimitation, heating units, vaporizing units, pyrolyzing units, washingunits (water or solvent), cracking units, cooling units, magneticseparation units, electrolysis units, air floatation units, screeningunits, segregating units, sedimentation units, fracturing units,shredding units, ultrasonic units, disinfecting units, sterilizingunits, chemical treating units, neutralizing units, quality controlunits, cryogenic units, condensing units, polymerizing units, andmixtures or combinations.

Suitable disinfecting and/or partially or completely sterilizingequipment include, without limitation, any equipment that can disinfect,and/or partially or completely sterilize used or waste material such asautoclaves including those manufactured by OnSite Sterilization, LLC ofPottstown, Pa., chemical treatments, thermal treatments, radianttreatments, radiological treatments, or any combination thereof. Itshould be recognized that this equipment is commonly referred to astreatment equipment in used healthcare material processing.

Suitable sizing and homogenizing equipment includes, without limitation,shredders, grinders, choppers, hammer mills, ball mills, or any otherequipment used to reduce the physical size of a complex material or anycombination of these equipment in series, parallel or a combinationthereof. Shedders including those manufactured by SSI Shredding Systems,Inc. of Wilsonville, Oreg.

Suitable shaping equipment includes, without limitation, pelletizes suchas those manufactured by Roskamp Champion of Waterloo, Iowa orCalifornia Pellet Mill Co. of Crawfordsville, Ind., extruders, othercompressing forming equipment or any combination thereof.

Suitable incinerator equipment include, without limitation, anyincinerator equipment, pyrolysis treatments, plasma treatments, or othertreatments that can burn or combust a used or waste material to an ash,having a given un-used fuel value from 0 to some finite value. Exemplaryexamples include CONSUMAT® Incinerators manufactured by ConsutechSystems, LLC (CONSUMAT is a registered trademark of Consutech Systems,LLC).

Suitable traditional or conventional fuels for use in this inventioninclude, without limitation, coal, coke, natural gas, propane, diesel,gasoline, jet fuel, other liquid hydrocarbon fuel, and mixtures orcombinations thereof.

For embodiments of the fuels derived from the present invention that aredesigned to be formed or shaped into a consolidated structure such as apellet, the used or waste material compositions include an effectiveamount of binding agents, sufficient to permit the shaping to maintainits final shape. The binding agents are selected from the groupconsisting of polymer materials that have a melting or softeningtemperature between about 40° C. and about 150° C. In certainembodiments, the binding agents are polymer components in used or wastematerial having a melting or softening temperature between about 40° C.and about 150° C. Exemplary examples of such polymeric materialsinclude, without limitation, modified cellulose, fabrics, plastics,thermoplastics, thermoplastic elastomers, elastomers, fiber enforcedresins, metalized or metal coated plastics or polymers, or otherpolymeric materials and mixtures or combinations thereof. Exemplaryplastics and thermoplastics include, without limitation, polyolefins,fluorinated polyolefins, chlorinated polyolefins, polyurethanes,polyalkyleneoxides, polyethers, polyesters, polyamides, polyimides,polycarbonates, epoxy resins, phenolic resins, alkylide resins,polyacrylates, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, other biocompatiblepolymers, and mixtures or combinations thereof. In other embodiments,binding agents can be added to the material to enhance or improveconsolidation, to change or alter final ash composition, to reduce orincrease metal content, to change or alter consolidated particleproperties, to modify or change final particle appearance, or toenhance, improve, alter or change any other final property of theconsolidated products of this invention. In specific embodiments,materials can be added to the burnable fuel as is, before or aftershaping to adjust a heat content of the burnable fuel regardless of itsnature or shape.

Healthcare Material Compositions Useful in the Invention

Embodiments of this invention can be practiced using a broaddistributions of one or a plurality of used and/or unused healthcarematerials including a complex, but definable, mixture of combustiblecomponents and non-combustible components. Exemplary examples of bothcombustible and non-combustible components include, without limitation,pulp materials, fiber materials, fabric materials, polymer materials,metal materials, ceramic materials, ash materials, and/or othermaterials. Depending on their use, the compositions of this inventioncan be tailored to meet any desired need. By controlling the relativeamount of combustible materials and non-combustible materials in theinput burnable fuel, properties of the fuel can be adjusted to produce adesired fuel composition and a desired ash composition. Such inputburnable fuel properties include, without, limitation, a fuel value, aburn rate, a flow rate, an ash composition, an ash weight, by-productcompositions and types or any mixture or combination ofproperties. Othermaterials can be included to tailor or control fuel properties or tocontrol the ash formed upon burning of the fuel. The fuel value can beadjusted up or down by changing the mix of combustible present andnon-combustible materials. The fuel can be further augmented by addingconventional fuels to the input burnable fuel or treated material beforeor simultaneous with burning of the burnable fuels of this invention.

Embodiments of this invention include broad class distributionsincluding polymer materials such as plastics, thermoplastics, etc., pulpmaterials such as paper materials, cardboard materials, natural fibrousmaterial, fabrics, etc., and metal materials such as aluminum, aluminumalloys, iron, iron alloys, nickel, nickel alloys, tin, tin alloys,copper, copper alloys, etc. and/or mixtures of combinations thereof. Asto these broad classes, the present invention relates to compositionsincluding from about 20 wt. % to about 100 wt. % polymer materials, fromabout 0 wt. % to about 100 wt. % of pulp materials, and from about 0 wt.% to about 10 wt. % metal materials. In other embodiments, thecompositions include from about 60 wt. % to about 100 wt. % polymermaterials, from about 20 wt. % to about 100 wt. % of pulp materials, andfrom about 1 wt. % to about 10 wt. % metal materials. In otherembodiments, the compositions include from about 70 wt. % to about 100wt. % polymer materials, from about 15 wt. % to about 70 wt. % of pulpmaterials, and from about 0 wt. % to about 5 wt. % metal materials. Inother embodiments, the compositions include from about 50 wt. % to about70 wt. % polymer materials, from about 15 wt. % to about 70 wt. % ofpulp materials, and from about 0 wt. % to about 5 wt. % metal materials.In these formulations, the weight percentages are not confined to add upto 100%, but are relative amounts on a weight basis of the finalcomposition. To determine the actual percentage in final composition,all of the weight percentages would be added up to give the overallformulation weight, then simple percentages can be determined.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to compositions includingfrom about 20 wt. % to about 100 wt. % polymer materials, from about 0wt. % to about 100 wt. % of pulp materials, from about 0 wt. % to about10 wt. % metal materials, and from about 0 wt. % to about 50 wt. % othermaterials. In other embodiments, the compositions include from about 60wt. % to about 100 wt. % polymer materials, from about 20 wt. % to about100 wt. % of pulp materials, from about 1 wt. % to about 10 wt. % metalmaterials, and from about 0 wt. % to about 50 wt. % other materials. Inother embodiments, the compositions include from about 70 wt. % to about100 wt. % polymer materials, from about 15 wt. % to about 70 wt. % ofpulp materials, from about 0 wt. % to about 5 wt. % metal materials, andfrom about 0 wt. % to about 50 wt. % other materials. In otherembodiments, the compositions include from about 50 wt. % to about 70wt. % polymer materials, from about 15 wt. % to about 70 wt. % of pulpmaterials, from about 0 wt. % to about 5 wt. % metal materials, and fromabout 0 wt. % to about 50 wt. % other materials. In these formulations,the weight percentages are not confined to add up to 100%, but arerelative amounts on a weight basis of the final composition. Todetermine the actual percentage in final composition, all of the weightpercentages would be added up to give the overall formulation weight,then simple percentages can be determined.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to compositions includingfrom about 0 wt. % to about 100 wt. % polymer materials, from about 10wt. % to about 100 wt. % of pulp materials, from about 0 wt. % to about10 wt. % metal materials, from about 5 wt. % to about 100 wt. % othermaterials, and from about 0 wt. % to about 40 wt. % of a binding agent.In other embodiments, the compositions include from about 10 wt. % toabout 100 wt. % polymer materials, from about 20 wt. % to about 100 wt.% of pulp materials, from about 1 wt. % to about 10 wt. % metalmaterials, from about 10 wt. % to about 50 wt. % other materials, andfrom about 0 wt. % to about 30 wt. % of a binding agent. In otherembodiments, the compositions include from about 20 wt. % to about 100wt. % polymer materials, from about 30 wt. % to about 70 wt. % of pulpmaterials, from about 1 wt. % to about 5 wt. % metal materials, fromabout 30 wt. % to about 100 wt. % other materials, and from about 0 wt.% to about 20 wt. % of a binding agent. In other embodiments, thecompositions include from about 30 wt. % to about 100 wt. % polymermaterials, from about 15 wt. % to about 70 wt. % of pulp materials, fromabout 0 wt. % to about 5 wt. % metal materials, and from about 0 wt. %to about 50 wt. % other materials and from about 0 wt. % to about 20 wt.% of a binding agent. In these formulations, the weight percentages arenot confined to add up to 100%, but are relative amounts on a weightbasis of the final composition. To determine the actual percentage infinal composition, all of the weight percentages would be added up togive the overall formulation weight, then simple percentages can bedetermined.

Embodiments of the used healthcare material of this invention can alsobe expressed as compositions, where the component percentages sum to onehundred. Table I shows a number of possible formulations.

TABLE I Formulation Ranges Material Compositions Polymer 50 50 50 50 5060 60 60 60 60 70 70 70 70 70 70 80 90 100 Pulp 50 40 40 25 20 40 30 3020 15 30 15 10 20 15 20 10 0 0 Metal 0 10 5 0 10 0 10 5 0 10 0 0 10 1010 5 1 1 0 Other 0 0 5 25 20 0 0 5 20 15 0 15 10 0 5 5 9 9 0 Totals 100100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100It should be recognized that these ranges are simply a set of componentbreak downs and any other component make up can be used provided that ifthe composition is to be shaped, there is sufficient polymer material inthe material to allow the compressed material to hold its shape undernormal handling condition. In certain embodiments, the shaping can beperformed with added heat so that the polymer materials can be softenedor melted to increase shape integrity and improve crush strength of theshaped material.

Pre-Treatments

In certain embodiments, some or all of the input burnable fuel or amaterial to be included in the input burnable fuel is pre-treated toaugment, change or remove components of a source material. Suchpre-treatments can include, without limitation, heating to removevolatile components, washing to remove water soluble components, solventwashing or extraction to remove solvent extractible components,segregation at the generation site, pre-screening to remove materialshaving a certain size or construction for separate processing, partialpyrolysis to alter properties of the psig material, drying to removewater, crushing of large objects into smaller objects for subsequentprocessing, any other pretreatment designed to condition a particularpsig material for use as a component in the psig materials used toproduce the burnable fuels of this invention or any listed above in theSuitable Reagent section and any combination of these pre-treatments.

Disinfecting Pre-Treatment

In certain embodiments and for certain materials, some or all of theinput burnable fuel or materials that will ultimately be included in theinput burnable fuel is disinfected and/or partially or completelysterilized using any methodology known to render a disinfected material,substantially free of any harmful pathogens. In certain embodiments ofthis invention, disinfecting and/or partial or complete sterilization isperformed via autoclave sterilization. The psig used or waste materialis placed in an autoclave at a temperature and pressure and for a timesufficient to render a disinfected material, free or substantially freeof any harmful pathogens. The temperature is generally greater than atleast 121° C., at a pressure of at least 15 psig and for a time of atleast 30 minutes. In certain embodiments, the temperature is betweenabout 121° C. and about 150° C., the pressure is between about 15 psig(103.4 Kpa) and about 50 psig (344.8 Kpa) and for a time between about30 minutes and 60 minutes. In certain embodiments, the temperature isbetween about 121° C. and about 125° C., the pressure is between about15 psig (103.4 Kpa) and about 25 psig (172.4 Kpa) and for a time betweenabout 30 minutes and 60 minutes. In certain embodiments, the temperatureis between about 121° C. and about 123° C., the pressure is betweenabout 15 psig (103.4 Kpa) and about 20 psig (137.9 Kpa) and for a timebetween about 30 minutes and 40 minutes. Although specific embodimentshave been set forth on temperature, pressure and time, highertemperatures and/or pressures can be used as well as shorter or longertimes depending on a desired outcome or property of the disinfectedmaterial.

Direct Feed

In certain embodiments, the healthcare material can be fed directly intothe kiln subsystem either in the calcining zone and/or the hot zone ofthe kiln subsystem. The healthcare material can be as is, sized, sizedand shaped, pre-processed, pre-processed and sized, pre-processed andshaped, and/or pre-processed, sized and shaped or mixtures orcombinations thereof. In embodiments in which the material is directlyinjected into the kiln subsystem, the materials can be designed to havea desired fuel value and residual ash composition suitable forgenerating a desired clinker and/or cement composition.

Particle Distribution

The used or waste material, regardless of its make up, is sized or sizedand partially or completely homogenized or otherwise processed to reducethe particle size of the material and to form a particulate materialhaving a certain particle size distribution and a certain degree ofhomogeny. The exact particle size distribution depends on the nature ofthe sizing or sizing and partially or completely homogenizing equipmentused and on the screens or other size exclusion means used to controlthe particle size of the exiting particulate material and end use needs.The distribution of the present invention includes particles having asmallest dimension of between about 1.00 mm and about 100 mm. In certainembodiments, the particles have a smallest dimension of between about6.35 mm and about 50.8 mm. In certain embodiments, the particles have asmallest dimension between about 12.7 mm and about 50.8 mm. In otherembodiments, the particles have a smallest dimension between about 19.05mm and about 50.8 mm. In other embodiments, the particles have asmallest dimension between about 19.05 mm and about 44.45 mm. In otherembodiments, the particles have a smallest dimension between about 19.05mm and about 38.1 mm. In other embodiments, the particles have asmallest dimension between about 19.05 mm and about 25.4 mm. Thesmallest dimension means that the particles are capable of passingthrough a screen of a desired screen size. The screen size range betweenopenings of about 12.7 mm to about 50.8 mm. In other embodiments, thescreen opening ranges between about 19.05 mm and about 44.45 mm. Inother embodiments, the screen opening ranges between about 19.05 andabout 38.1 mm.

The term partially homogenized in the context of the present inventionmeans that the particulate material, although being composed of manydifferent material components, has been mixed sufficiently that the bulkcomposition of components is within about 30% the same throughout theentire particulate material. In certain, embodiments, the partialhomogeneity is within 20% or lower. The term completely homogenized inthe context of the present invention means that the particulatematerial, although being composed of many different material components,has been mixed sufficiently that the bulk composition of components iswithin about 10% the same throughout the entire particulate material. Incertain, embodiments, the partial homogeneity is within 5%.

Compressed Shapes

Optionally, the particulate material from the sizing process is thenpressed, extruded or similarly processed into a shape to increase thebulk density of the material. The shape can be any shape including acylindrical shape, a cubical shape, a rectangular solid shape, aspherical shape, an ellipsoidal shape, a tablet shape or any othercompact 3D shape. The dimension of these shapes can range between about0.5 cm and about 20 cm. In certain embodiments, the shape issubstantially elongate shape having a diameter less than or equal to itslength. The shape can be of a cylindrical type having sharp cut ends orrounded ends depending on the method used to make the elongate shape.Generally, the elongate shapes have a diameter between about 5 mm andabout 20 mm and length of about 2 cm to about 10 cm. In certainembodiments, the elongate shape is cylindrical or substantiallycylindrical. In other embodiments, the elongate shape has a diameterbetween about 10 mm and about 20 mm and a length between 3 cm and about5 cm. In other embodiments, the elongate shape has a diameter betweenabout 10 mm and about 15 mm and a length between 3 cm and about 5 cm.However, the shapes can be larger or smaller depending on end use. Inother embodiment, the shape can have a diameter between about 0.5 cm and20 cm. In other embodiment, the shape can have a diameter between about0.5 cm and 20 cm and a length between about 0.5 cm and about 20 cm. Inother embodiment, the shape can have a length, a width and a heightbetween about 0.5 cm and 20 cm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Systems

Referring now to FIG. 1A, an embodiment of a cement plant of the presentinvention, generally 100, is shown to include a burnable fuel supplysubsystem 200, a cement raw material supply subsystem 102, a kilnsubsystem 104, a cooler subsystem 106, and a clinker storage subsystem108. The burnable fuel supply subsystem 200 is adapted to supply aburnable fuel to a calcine zone 110 of the kiln subsystem 104 via acalcine zone conduit 112 a into a calcine zone fuel input port 114 a.The burnable fuel supply subsystem 200 is also adapted to supply aburnable fuel to a hot zone 116 of the kiln subsystem 104 via a hot zoneconduit 118 a into a hot zone fuel input port 120 a. The cement rawmaterial supply subsystem 102 is adapted to supply the cement rawmaterial to the kiln subsystem 104 via a cement raw material conduit 122into an input port 124. The burnable fuel can include one or more inputburnable fuels, one or more pre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuels,one or more particulate burnable fuels, and/or one or more shapedburnable fuels of this invention and optionally one or more traditionalfuels. For additional information on cement plants the reader isreferred to the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,390,357; 6,908,507;6,807,916; 6,790,034; 6,749,681; 6,491,751; 6,120,172; 5,584,926;5,156,676; 5,122,189; 4,682,948; 4,595,416; and 4,260,369; which areincorporated by reference as set forth in the last paragraph prior tothe claims.

Referring now to FIG. 1B, another embodiment of a cement plant of thepresent invention, generally 100, is shown to include a burnable fuelsupply subsystem 200, a cement raw material supply subsystem 102, a kilnsubsystem 104, a cooler subsystem 106, and a clinker storage subsystem108. The burnable fuel supply subsystem 200 is adapted to supply a firstcalcining type of burnable fuel to the calcine zone 110 of the kilnsubsystem 104 via a first calcine zone conduit 112 a into a firstcalcine zone fuel input port 114 a. The burnable fuel supply subsystem200 is also adapted to supply a second calcining type of burnable fuelto the calcine zone 110 of the kiln subsystem 104 via a second calcinezone conduit 112 b into a second calcine zone fuel input port 114 b. Theburnable fuel supply subsystem 200 is also adapted to supply a firstsintering type of burnable fuel to a hot zone 116 of the kiln subsystem104 via a first hot zone conduit 118 a into a first hot zone fuel inputport 120 a. The burnable fuel supply subsystem 200 is also adapted tosupply a second sintering type of burnable fuel to a hot zone 116 of thekiln subsystem 104 via a second hot zone conduit 118 a into a second hotzone fuel input port 120 a. The cement raw material supply subsystem 102is adapted to supply the cement raw material to the kiln subsystem 104via a cement raw material conduit 122 into an input port 124. The firstburnable fuel can include one or more input burnable fuels, one or morepre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuels, one or more particulateburnable fuels, and/or one or more shaped burnable fuels of thisinvention. The second burnable fuel can include one or more inputburnable fuels, one or more pre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuels,one or more particulate burnable fuels, and/or one or more shapedburnable fuels of this invention and optionally one or more traditionalfuels.

Referring now to FIG. 1C, another embodiment of a cement plant of thepresent invention, generally 100, is shown to include a burnable fuelsupply subsystem 200, a cement raw material supply subsystem 102, a kilnsubsystem 104, a cooler subsystem 106, and a clinker storage subsystem108. The burnable fuel supply subsystem 200 is adapted to supply a firstcalcining type of burnable fuel to the calcine zone 110 of the kilnsubsystem 104 via a first calcine zone conduit 112 a into a firstcalcine zone fuel input port 114 a. The burnable fuel supply subsystem200 is also adapted to supply a second calcining type of burnable fuelto the calcine zone 110 of the kiln subsystem 104 via a second calcinezone conduit 112 b into a second calcine zone fuel input port 114 b. Theburnable fuel supply subsystem 200 is also adapted to supply a thirdcalcining type of burnable fuel to the calcine zone 110 of the kilnsubsystem 104 via a third calcine zone conduit 112 c into a secondcalcine zone fuel input port 114 c. The burnable fuel supply subsystem200 is also adapted to supply a first sintering type of burnable fuel toa hot zone 116 of the kiln subsystem 104 via a first hot zone conduit118 a into a second hot zone fuel input port 120 a. The burnable fuelsupply subsystem 200 is also adapted to supply a second sintering typeof burnable fuel to a hot zone 116 of the kiln subsystem 104 via asecond hot zone conduit 118 a into a first hot zone fuel input port 120a. The burnable fuel supply subsystem 200 is also adapted to supply athird sintering type of burnable fuel to a hot zone 116 of the kilnsubsystem 104 via a third hot zone conduit 118 a into a third hot zonefuel input port 120 a. The cement raw material supply subsystem 102 isadapted to supply the cement raw material to the kiln subsystem 104 viaa cement raw material conduit 122 into an input port 124. The firstburnable fuel can include one or more input burnable fuels, one or morepre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuels, one or more particulateburnable fuels, and/or one or more shaped burnable fuels of thisinvention. The second burnable fuel can include one or more inputburnable fuels, one or more pre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuels,one or more particulate burnable fuels, and/or one or more shapedburnable fuels of this invention. The third burnable fuel can includeone or more input burnable fuels, one or more pre-processed orpre-treated burnable fuels, one or more particulate burnable fuels,and/or one or more shaped burnable fuels of this invention andoptionally one or more traditional fuels.

Basic Burnable Fuel Supply Subsystems

Referring now to FIG. 2A, an embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 200, is shown to include amaterial supply subsystem 202, where one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials 204 are collected to form an input burnable fuel206, which can be subsequently processed or used directly. The inputburnable fuel 206 can include a variety of components as described aboveand can be adjusted to achieve a desired compositional makeup ofcomponents. The input burnable fuel 206, is then forwarded to a kilnsubsystem 208, where a portion of the heat generated by combustion ofthe input burnable fuel 206 and its ash, along with the cement rawmaterials combine to produce a cement clinker composition.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, another embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 200, is shown to include amaterial supply subsystem 202, where one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials 204 are collected to form an input burnable fuel206. The input burnable fuel 206 can include a variety of components asdescribed above and can be adjusted to achieve a desired compositionalmakeup of components. The input burnable fuel 206 is then sized or sizedand partially or completely homogenized in a sizing or sizing andhomogenizing subsystem 210, where the input burnable fuel 206 isshredded, chopped, shattered, or broken to produce a particulateburnable fuel 212 having a desired particle size distribution. Theparticulate burnable fuel 212 is then forwarded to a storage subsystem214, where the particulate burnable fuel 212 is stored for subsequentuse as a fuel or fuel component.

Referring now to FIG. 2C, another embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 200, is shown to include amaterial supply subsystem 202, where one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials 204 are collected to form an input burnable fuel206. The input burnable fuel 206 can include a variety of components asdescribed above and can be adjusted to achieve a desired compositionalmakeup of components. The input burnable fuel 206 is then sized or sizedand partially or completely homogenized in a sizing or sizing andhomogenizing subsystem 210, where the input burnable fuel 206 isshredded, chopped, shattered, or broken to produce a particulateburnable fuel 212 having a desired particle size distribution. Theparticulate burnable fuel 212 is then forwarded to a kiln subsystem 208,where a portion of the heat generated by combustion of the particulateburnable fuel 212 and its ash, along with the cement raw materialscombine to produce a cement clinker composition.

Referring now to FIG. 2D, another embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 200, is shown to include amaterial supply subsystem 202, where one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials 204 are collected to form an input burnable fuel206. The input burnable fuel 206 can include a variety of components asdescribed above and can be adjusted to achieve a desired compositionalmakeup of components. The input burnable fuel 206 is then sized or sizedand partially or completely homogenized in a sizing or sizing andhomogenizing subsystem 210, where the input burnable fuel 206 isshredded, chopped, shattered, or broken to produce a particulateburnable fuel 212 having a desired particle size distribution. Theparticulate burnable fuel 212 is then forwarded to a packaging subsystem216, where the particulate burnable fuel 212 is placed in containers toproduce a containerized particulate burnable fuel 218 for ease ofshipment or transport and for direct use as a fuel to produce a useableform of energy, to produce a useable product, or to otherwise use theheat derived therefrom. The containerized particulate burnable fuel 218is then forwarded to a storage subsystem 214, where the containerizedparticulate burnable fuel 218 is stored for subsequent use as a fuel orfuel component.

Referring now to FIG. 2E, another embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 200, is shown to include amaterial supply subsystem 202, where one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials 204 are collected to form an input burnable fuel206. The input burnable fuel 206 can include a variety of components asdescribed above and can be adjusted to achieve a desired compositionalmakeup of components. The input burnable fuel 206 is then sized or sizedand partially or completely homogenized in a sizing or sizing andhomogenizing subsystem 210, where the input burnable fuel 206 isshredded, chopped, shattered, or broken to produce a particulateburnable fuel 212 having a desired particle size distribution. Theparticulate burnable fuel 212 is then forwarded to a packaging subsystem216, where the particulate burnable fuel 212 is placed in containers toproduce a containerized particulate burnable fuel 218. The containerizedparticulate burnable fuel 218 is then forwarded to a kiln subsystem 208,where a portion of the heat generated by combustion of the containerizedparticulate burnable fuel 218 and its ash, along with the cement rawmaterials combine to produce a cement clinker composition.

Referring now to FIG. 2F, another embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 200, is shown to include amaterial supply subsystem 202, where one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials 204 are collected to form an input burnable fuel206. The input burnable fuel 206 can include a variety of components asdescribed above and can be adjusted to achieve a desired compositionalmakeup of components. The input burnable fuel 206 is then sized or sizedand partially or completely homogenized in a sizing or sizing andhomogenizing subsystem 210, where the input burnable fuel 206 isshredded, chopped, shattered, or broken to produce a particulateburnable fuel 212 having a desired particle size distribution. Theparticulate burnable fuel 212 is then forwarded to a shaping subsystem220, where the particulate burnable fuel 212 is shaped into a compactshape to produce a shaped burnable fuel 222. The shaped burnable fuel222 is then forwarded to a storage subsystem 214, where the shapedburnable fuel 222 is stored for subsequent use as a fuel or fuelcomponent.

Referring now to FIG. 2G, another embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 200, is shown to include amaterial supply subsystem 202, where one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials 204 are collected to form an input burnable fuel206. The input burnable fuel 206 can include a variety of components asdescribed above and can be adjusted to achieve a desired compositionalmakeup of components. The input burnable fuel 206 is then sized or sizedand partially or completely homogenized in a sizing or sizing andhomogenizing subsystem 210, where the input burnable fuel 206 isshredded, chopped, shattered, or broken to produce a particulateburnable fuel 212 having a desired particle size distribution. Theparticulate burnable fuel 212 is then forwarded to a shaping subsystem220, where the particulate burnable fuel 212 is shaped into a compactshape to produce a shaped burnable fuel 222. The shaped burnable fuel222 is then forwarded to a kiln subsystem 208, where a portion of theheat generated by combustion of the shaped burnable fuel 222 and itsash, along with the cement raw materials combine to produce a cementclinker composition.

Referring now to FIG. 2H, another embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 200, is shown to include amaterial supply subsystem 202, where one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials 204 are collected to form an input burnable fuel206. The input burnable fuel 206 can include a variety of components asdescribed above and can be adjusted to achieve a desired compositionalmakeup of components. The input burnable fuel 206 is then sized or sizedand partially or completely homogenized in a sizing or sizing andhomogenizing subsystem 210, where the input burnable fuel 206 isshredded, chopped, shattered, or broken to produce a particulateburnable fuel 212 having a desired particle size distribution. Theparticulate burnable fuel 212 is then forwarded to a shaping subsystem220, where the particulate burnable fuel 212 is shaped into a compactshape to produce a shaped burnable fuel 222. The shaped burnable fuel222 is then forwarded to a packaging subsystem 216, where the shapedburnable fuel 222 is placed in containers to produce a containerizedshaped burnable fuel 224. The containerized shaped burnable fuel 224 isthen forwarded to a storage subsystem 214, where the containerizedshaped burnable fuel 224 is stored for subsequent use as a fuel or fuelcomponent.

Referring now to FIG. 2I, another embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 200, is shown to include amaterial supply subsystem 202, where one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials 204 are collected to form an input burnable fuel206. The input burnable fuel 206 can include a variety of components asdescribed above and can be adjusted to achieve a desired compositionalmakeup of components. The input burnable fuel 206 is then sized or sizedand partially or completely homogenized in a sizing or sizing andhomogenizing subsystem 210, where the input burnable fuel 206 isshredded, chopped, shattered, or broken to produce a particulateburnable fuel 212 having a desired particle size distribution. Theparticulate burnable fuel 212 is then forwarded to a shaping subsystem220, where the particulate burnable fuel 212 is shaped into a compactshape to produce a shaped burnable fuel 222. The shaped burnable fuel222 is then forwarded to a packaging subsystem 216, where the shapedburnable fuel 222 is placed in containers to produce a containerizedshaped burnable fuel 224. The containerized shaped burnable fuel 224 isthen forwarded to a kiln subsystem 208, where a portion of the heatgenerated by combustion of the containerized shaped burnable fuel 224and its ash, along with the cement raw materials combine to produce acement clinker composition.

Burnable Fuel Supply Subsystems with Pre-Processing or Pre-TreatingSubsystem

Referring now to FIG. 3A, another embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 300, is shown to include amaterial supply subsystem 302, where one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials 304 are collected to form an input burnable fuel306. The input burnable fuel 306 can include a variety of components asdescribed above and can be adjusted to achieve a desired compositionalmakeup of components. The input burnable fuel 306 is then pre-processedor pre-treated in a pre-processing or pre-treating subsystem 308, wherethe input burnable fuel 306 is pre-processed in one or a plurality ofpre-processing and/or pre-treating steps to form a pre-processedburnable fuel 310. The pre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuel 310 isthen forwarded directly to a kiln subsystem 312, where a portion of theheat generated by combustion of the pre-processed or pre-treatedburnable fuel 310 and its ash, along with the cement raw materialscombine to produce a cement clinker composition.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, another embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 300, is shown to include amaterial supply subsystem 302, where one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials 304 are collected to form an input burnable fuel306. The input burnable fuel 306 can include a variety of components asdescribed above and can be adjusted to achieve a desired compositionalmakeup of components. The input burnable fuel 306 is then pre-processedin a pre-processing or pre-treating subsystem 308, where the inputburnable fuel 306 is pre-processed or pre-treated in one or a pluralityof pre-processing or pre-treating steps to form a pre-processed orpre-treated burnable fuel 310. The pre-processed or pre-treated burnablefuel 310 is then sized or sized and partially or completely homogenizedin a sizing or sizing and homogenizing subsystem 314, where thepre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuel 310 is shredded, chopped,shattered, or broken to produce a particulate burnable fuel 316 having adesired particle size distribution. The particulate burnable fuel 316 isthen forwarded to a storage subsystem 318, where the particulateburnable fuel 316 is stored for subsequent use as a fuel or fuelcomponent.

Referring now to FIG. 3C, another embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 300, is shown to include amaterial supply subsystem 302, where one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials 304 are collected to form an input burnable fuel306. The input burnable fuel 306 can include a variety of components asdescribed above and can be adjusted to achieve a desired compositionalmakeup of components. The input burnable fuel 306 is then pre-processedin a pre-processing subsystem 308, where the input burnable fuel 306 ispre-processed in one or a plurality of pre-processing steps to form apre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuel 310. The pre-processed orpre-treated burnable fuel 310 is then sized or sized and partially orcompletely homogenized in a sizing or sizing and homogenizing subsystem314, where the pre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuel 310 isshredded, chopped, shattered, or broken to produce a particulateburnable fuel 316 having a desired particle size distribution. Theparticulate burnable fuel 316 is then forwarded to a kiln subsystem 312,where a portion of the heat generated by combustion of the particulateburnable fuel 316 and its ash, along with the cement raw materialscombine to produce a cement clinker composition.

Referring now to FIG. 3D, another embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 300, is shown to include amaterial supply subsystem 302, where one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials 304 are collected to form an input burnable fuel306. The input burnable fuel 306 can include a variety of components asdescribed above and can be adjusted to achieve a desired compositionalmakeup of components. The input burnable fuel 306 is then pre-processedin a pre-processing subsystem 308, where the input burnable fuel 306 ispre-processed in one or a plurality of pre-processing steps to form apre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuel 310. The pre-processed orpre-treated burnable fuel 310 is then sized or sized and partially orcompletely homogenized in a sizing or sizing and homogenizing subsystem314, where the pre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuel 310 isshredded, chopped, shattered, or broken to produce a particulateburnable fuel 316 having a desired particle size distribution. Theparticulate burnable fuel 316 is then forwarded to a packaging subsystem320, where the particulate burnable fuel 316 is placed in containers toproduce a packaged or containerized particulate burnable fuel 322. Thepackaged or containerized particulate burnable fuel 322 is thenforwarded to a storage subsystem 318, where the packaged orcontainerized particulate burnable fuel 322 is stored for subsequent useas a fuel or fuel component.

Referring now to FIG. 3E, another embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 300, is shown to include amaterial supply subsystem 302, where one or a plurality of sourcematerials 304 are collected to form an input burnable fuel 306. Theinput healthcare material 306 can include a variety of components asdescribed above and can be adjusted to achieve a desired compositionalmakeup of components. The input burnable fuel 306 is then pre-processedin a pre-processing subsystem 308, where the input burnable fuel 306 ispre-processed in one or a plurality of pre-processing steps to form apre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuel 310. The pre-processed orpre-treated burnable fuel 310 is then sized or sized and partially orcompletely homogenized in a sizing or sizing and homogenizing subsystem314, where the pre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuel 310 isshredded, chopped, shattered, or broken to produce a particulateburnable fuel 316 having a desired particle size distribution. Theparticulate burnable fuel 316 is then forwarded to a packaging subsystem320, where the particulate burnable fuel 316 is placed in containers toproduce a packaged or containerized particulate burnable fuel 322. Thepackaged or containerized particulate burnable fuel 322 is thenforwarded to a kiln subsystem 312, where a portion of the heat generatedby combustion of the packaged or containerized particulate burnable fuel322 and its ash, along with the cement raw materials combine to producea cement clinker composition.

Referring now to FIG. 3F, another embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 300, is shown to include amaterial supply subsystem 302, where one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials 304 are collected to form an input burnable fuel306. The input burnable fuel 306 can include a variety of components asdescribed above and can be adjusted to achieve a desired compositionalmakeup of components. The input burnable fuel 306 is then pre-processedin a pre-processing subsystem 308, where the input burnable fuel 306 ispre-processed in one or a plurality of pre-processing steps to form apre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuel 310. The pre-processed orpre-treated burnable fuel 310 is then sized or sized and partially orcompletely homogenized in a sizing or sizing and homogenizing subsystem314, where the pre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuel 310 isshredded, chopped, shattered, or broken to produce a particulateburnable fuel 316 having a desired particle size distribution. Theparticulate burnable fuel 316 is then forwarded to a shaping subsystem324, where the particulate burnable fuel 316 is shaped into a compactshape to produce a shaped burnable fuel 326. The shaped burnable fuel326 is then forwarded to a storage subsystem 318, where the shapedburnable fuel 326 is stored for subsequent use as a fuel or fuelcomponent.

Referring now to FIG. 3G, another embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 300, is shown to include amaterial supply subsystem 302, where one or a plurality of sourcematerials 304 are collected to form an input burnable fuel 306. Theinput healthcare material 306 can include a variety of components asdescribed above and can be adjusted to achieve a desired compositionalmakeup of components. The input burnable fuel 306 is then pre-processedin a pre-processing subsystem 308, where the input burnable fuel 306 ispre-processed in one or a plurality of pre-processing steps to form apre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuel 310. The pre-processed orpre-treated burnable fuel 310 is then sized or sized and partially orcompletely homogenized in a sizing or sizing and homogenizing subsystem314, where the pre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuel 310 isshredded, chopped, shattered, or broken to produce a particulateburnable fuel 316 having a desired particle size distribution. Theparticulate burnable fuel 316 is then forwarded to a shaping subsystem324, where the particulate burnable fuel 316 is shaped into a compactshape to produce a shaped burnable fuel 326. The shaped burnable fuel326 is then forwarded to a kiln subsystem 312, where a portion of theheat generated by combustion of the shaped burnable fuel 326 and itsash, along with the cement raw materials combine to produce a cementclinker composition.

Referring now to FIG. 3H, another embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 300, is shown to include amaterial supply subsystem 302, where one or a plurality of sourcematerials 304 are collected to form an input burnable fuel 306. Theinput healthcare material 306 can include a variety of components asdescribed above and can be adjusted to achieve a desired compositionalmakeup of components. The input burnable fuel 306 is then pre-processedin a pre-processing subsystem 308, where the input burnable fuel 306 ispre-processed in one or a plurality of pre-processing steps to form apre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuel 310. The pre-processed orpre-treated burnable fuel 310 is then sized or sized and partially orcompletely homogenized in a sizing or sizing and homogenizing subsystem314, where the pre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuel 310 isshredded, chopped, shattered, or broken to produce a particulateburnable fuel 316 having a desired particle size distribution. Theparticulate burnable fuel 316 is then forwarded to a shaping subsystem324, where the particulate burnable fuel 316 is shaped into a compactshape to produce a shaped burnable fuel 326. The shaped burnable fuel326 is then forwarded to a packaging subsystem 320, where the shapedburnable fuel 326 is placed in containers to produce a packaged orcontainerized shaped burnable fuel 328. The packaged or containerizedshaped burnable fuel 328 is then forwarded to a storage subsystem 318,where the packaged or containerized shaped burnable fuel 328 is storedfor subsequent use as a fuel or fuel component.

Referring now to FIG. 3I, another embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 300, is shown to include amaterial supply subsystem 302, where one or a plurality of sourcematerials 304 are collected to form an input burnable fuel 306. Theinput healthcare material 306 can include a variety of components asdescribed above and can be adjusted to achieve a desired compositionalmakeup of components. The input burnable fuel 306 is then pre-processedin a pre-processing subsystem 308, where the input burnable fuel 306 ispre-processed in one or a plurality of pre-processing steps to form apre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuel 310. The pre-processed orpre-treated burnable fuel 310 is then sized or sized and partially orcompletely homogenized in a sizing or sizing and homogenizing subsystem314, where the pre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuel 310 isshredded, chopped, shattered, or broken to produce a particulateburnable fuel 316 having a desired particle size distribution. Theparticulate burnable fuel 316 is then forwarded to a shaping subsystem324, where the particulate burnable fuel 316 is shaped into a compactshape to produce a shaped burnable fuel 326. The shaped burnable fuel326 is then forwarded to a packaging subsystem 320, where the shapedburnable fuel 326 is placed in containers to produce a packaged orcontainerized shaped burnable fuel 328. The packaged or containerizedshaped burnable fuel 328 is then forwarded to a kiln subsystem 312,where a portion of the heat generated by combustion of the packaged orcontainerized shaped burnable fuel 328 and its ash, along with thecement raw materials combine to produce a cement clinker composition.

Burnable Fuel Supply Subsystems with Two Source Healthcare Materials

Referring now to FIG. 4A, another embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 400, is shown to include afirst material supply subsystem 402, where one or a plurality of firstsource healthcare materials 404 are collected to form a first inputburnable fuel 406. The system 400 also includes a second material supplysubsystem 408, where one or a plurality of second healthcare sourcehealthcare materials 410 are collected to form a second input burnablefuel 412. The first and second input burnable fuels 406 and 412 caninclude a variety of components as described above and can be adjustedto achieve a desired compositional makeup of components. The secondinput burnable fuel 412 is then pre-processed in a pre-processing orpre-treating subsystem 414, where the second input burnable fuel 406 ispre-processed in one or a plurality of pre-processing or pre-treatingsteps to form a pre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuel 416. Thefirst input burnable fuel 406 and the pre-processed or pre-treatedburnable fuel 416 are then combined and forwarded to a kiln subsystem418, where a portion of the heat generated by combustion of the firstinput burnable fuel 406 and the pre-processed or pre-treated burnablefuel 416 and their ash, along with the cement raw materials combine toproduce a cement clinker composition.

Referring now to FIG. 4B, another embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 400, is shown to include afirst material supply subsystem 402, where one or a plurality of firstsource healthcare materials 404 are collected to form a first inputburnable fuel 406. The system 400 also includes a second material supplysubsystem 408, where one or a plurality of second source healthcarematerials 410 are collected to form a second input burnable fuel 412.The first input burnable fuel 406 and the pre-processed or pre-treatedburnable fuel 416 are then combined and forwarded to a sizing or sizingand homogenizing subsystem 420, where the fuels 406 and 416 areshredded, chopped, shattered, or broken to produce a particulateburnable fuel 422 having a desired particle size distribution. Theparticulate burnable fuel 422 is then forwarded to a storage subsystem424, where the particulate burnable fuel 422 is stored for subsequentuse as a fuel or fuel component.

Referring now to FIG. 4C, another embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 400, is shown to include afirst material supply subsystem 402, where one or a plurality of firstsource healthcare materials 404 are collected to form a first inputburnable fuel 406. The system 400 also includes a second material supplysubsystem 408, where one or a plurality of second source healthcarematerials 410 are collected to form a second input burnable fuel 412.The first and second input burnable fuels 406 and 412 can include avariety of components as described above and can be adjusted to achievea desired compositional makeup of components. The second input burnablefuel 412 is then pre-processed in a pre-processing subsystem 414, wherethe second input burnable fuel 412 is pre-processed in one or aplurality of pre-processing steps to form a pre-processed or pre-treatedburnable fuel 416. The first input burnable fuel 406 and thepre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuel 416 are then combined andforwarded to a sizing or sizing and homogenizing subsystem 420, wherethe fuels 406 and 416 are shredded, chopped, shattered, or broken toproduce a particulate burnable fuel 422 having a desired particle sizedistribution. The particulate burnable fuel 422 is then forwarded to akiln subsystem 418, where a portion of the heat generated by combustionof the particulate burnable fuel 422 and its ash, along with the cementraw materials combine to produce a clinker composition.

Referring now to FIG. 4D, another embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 400, is shown to include afirst material supply subsystem 402, where one or a plurality of firstsource healthcare materials 404 are collected to form a first inputburnable fuel 406. The system 400 also includes a second material supplysubsystem 408, where one or a plurality of second source healthcarematerials 410 are collected to form a second input burnable fuel 412.The first and second input burnable fuels 406 and 412 can include avariety of components as described above and can be adjusted to achievea desired compositional makeup of components. The second input burnablefuel 412 is then pre-processed in a pre-processing subsystem 414, wherethe second input burnable fuel 406 is pre-processed in one or aplurality of pre-processing steps to form a pre-processed or pre-treatedburnable fuel 416. The first input burnable fuel 406 and thepre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuel 416 are then combined andforwarded to a sizing or sizing and homogenizing subsystem 420, wherethe fuels 406 and 416 are shredded, chopped, shattered, or broken toproduce a particulate burnable fuel 422 having a desired particle sizedistribution. The particulate burnable fuel 422 is then forwarded to apackaging subsystem 426, where the particulate burnable fuel 422 isplaced in containers to produce a packaged or containerized particulateburnable fuel 428. The packaged or containerized particulate burnablefuel 428 is then forwarded to a storage subsystem 424, where thepackaged or containerized particulate burnable fuel 428 is stored forsubsequent use as a fuel or fuel component.

Referring now to FIG. 4E, another embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 400, is shown to include afirst material supply subsystem 402, where one or a plurality of firstsource healthcare materials 404 are collected to form a first inputburnable fuel 406. The system 400 also includes a second material supplysubsystem 408, where one or a plurality of second source healthcarematerials 410 are collected to form a second input burnable fuel 412.The first and second input burnable fuels 406 and 412 can include avariety of components as described above and can be adjusted to achievea desired compositional makeup of components. The second input burnablefuel 412 is then pre-processed in a pre-processing subsystem 414, wherethe second input burnable fuel 406 is pre-processed in one or aplurality of pre-processing steps to form a pre-processed or pre-treatedburnable fuel 416. The first input burnable fuel 406 and thepre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuel 416 are then combined andforwarded to a sizing or sizing and homogenizing subsystem 420, wherethe fuels 406 and 416 are shredded, chopped, shattered, or broken toproduce a particulate burnable fuel 422 having a desired particle sizedistribution. The particulate burnable fuel 422 is then forwarded to apackaging subsystem 426, where the particulate burnable fuel 422 isplaced in containers to produce a packaged or containerized particulateburnable fuel 428. The packaged or containerized particulate burnablefuel 428 is then forwarded to a kiln subsystem 418, where a portion ofthe heat generated by combustion of the packaged or containerizedparticulate burnable fuel 428 and its ash, along with the cement rawmaterials combine to produce a cement clinker composition.

Referring now to FIG. 4F, another embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 400, is shown to include afirst material supply subsystem 402, where one or a plurality of firstsource healthcare materials 404 are collected to form a first inputburnable fuel 406. The system 400 also includes a second material supplysubsystem 408, where one or a plurality of second source healthcarematerials 410 are collected to form a second input burnable fuel 412.The first and second input burnable fuels 406 and 412 can include avariety of components as described above and can be adjusted to achievea desired compositional makeup of components. The second input burnablefuel 412 is then pre-processed in a pre-processing subsystem 414, wherethe second input burnable fuel 406 is pre-processed in one or aplurality of pre-processing steps to form a pre-processed or pre-treatedburnable fuel 416. The first input burnable fuel 406 and thepre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuel 416 are then combined andforwarded to a sizing or sizing and homogenizing subsystem 420, wherethe fuels 406 and 416 are shredded, chopped, shattered, or broken toproduce a particulate burnable fuel 422 having a desired particle sizedistribution. The particulate burnable fuel 422 is then forwarded to ashaping subsystem 430, where the particulate burnable fuel 422 is shapedinto a compact shape to produce a shaped burnable fuel 432. The shapedburnable fuel 432 is then forwarded to a storage subsystem 424, wherethe shaped burnable fuel 432 is stored for subsequent use as a fuel orfuel component.

Referring now to FIG. 4G, another embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 400, is shown to include afirst material supply subsystem 402, where one or a plurality of firstsource healthcare materials 404 are collected to form a first inputburnable fuel 406. The system 400 also includes a second material supplysubsystem 408, where one or a plurality of second source healthcarematerials 410 are collected to form a second input burnable fuel 412.The first and second input burnable fuels 406 and 412 can include avariety of components as described above and can be adjusted to achievea desired compositional makeup of components. The second input burnablefuel 412 is then pre-processed in a pre-processing subsystem 414, wherethe second input burnable fuel 406 is pre-processed in one or aplurality of pre-processing steps to form a pre-processed or pre-treatedburnable fuel 416. The first input burnable fuel 406 and thepre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuel 416 are then combined andforwarded to a sizing or sizing and homogenizing subsystem 420, wherethe fuels 406 and 416 are shredded, chopped, shattered, or broken toproduce a particulate burnable fuel 422 having a desired particle sizedistribution. The particulate burnable fuel 422 is then forwarded to ashaping subsystem 430, where the particulate burnable fuel 422 is shapedinto a compact shape to produce a shaped burnable fuel 432. The shapedburnable fuel 432 is then forwarded to a kiln subsystem 418, where aportion of the heat generated by combustion of the shaped burnable fuel432 and its ash, along with the cement raw materials combine to producea cement clinker composition.

Referring now to FIG. 4H, another embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 400, is shown to include afirst material supply subsystem 402, where one or a plurality of firstsource healthcare materials 404 are collected to form a first inputburnable fuel 406. The system 400 also includes a second material supplysubsystem 408, where one or a plurality of second source healthcarematerials 410 are collected to form a second input burnable fuel 412.The first and second input burnable fuels 406 and 412 can include avariety of components as described above and can be adjusted to achievea desired compositional makeup of components. The second input burnablefuel 412 is then pre-processed in a pre-processing subsystem 414, wherethe second input burnable fuel 406 is pre-processed in one or aplurality of pre-processing steps to form a pre-processed or pre-treatedburnable fuel 416. The first input burnable fuel 406 and thepre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuel 416 are then combined andforwarded to a sizing or sizing and homogenizing subsystem 420, wherethe fuels 406 and 416 are shredded, chopped, shattered, or broken toproduce a particulate burnable fuel 422 having a desired particle sizedistribution. The particulate burnable fuel 422 is then forwarded to ashaping subsystem 430, where the particulate burnable fuel 422 is shapedinto a compact shape to produce a shaped burnable fuel 432. The shapedburnable fuel 432 is then forwarded to a packaging subsystem 426, wherethe shaped burnable fuel 432 is placed in containers to produce apackaged or containerized shaped burnable fuel 434. The packaged orcontainerized shaped burnable fuel 434 is then forwarded to a storagesubsystem 424, where the packaged or containerized shaped burnable fuel434 is stored for subsequent use as a fuel or fuel component.

Referring now to FIG. 4I, another embodiment of a burnable fuel supplysubsystem of the present invention, generally 400, is shown to include afirst material supply subsystem 402, where one or a plurality of firstsource healthcare materials 404 are collected to form a first inputburnable fuel 406. The system 400 also includes a second material supplysubsystem 408, where one or a plurality of second source healthcarematerials 410 are collected to form a second input burnable fuel 412.The first and second input burnable fuels 406 and 412 can include avariety of components as described above and can be adjusted to achievea desired compositional makeup of components. The second input burnablefuel 412 is then pre-processed in a pre-processing subsystem 414, wherethe second input burnable fuel 406 is pre-processed in one or aplurality of pre-processing steps to form a pre-processed or pre-treatedburnable fuel 416. The first input burnable fuel 406 and thepre-processed or pre-treated burnable fuel 416 are then combined andforwarded to a sizing or sizing and homogenizing subsystem 420, wherethe fuels 406 and 416 are shredded, chopped, shattered, or broken toproduce a particulate burnable fuel 422 having a desired particle sizedistribution. The particulate burnable fuel 422 is then forwarded to ashaping subsystem 430, where the particulate burnable fuel 422 is shapedinto a compact shape to produce a shaped burnable fuel 432. The shapedburnable fuel 432 is then forwarded to a packaging subsystem 426, wherethe shaped burnable fuel 432 is placed in containers to produce apackaged or containerized shaped burnable fuel 434. The packaged orcontainerized shaped burnable fuel 434 is then forwarded to a kilnsubsystem 418, where a portion of the heat generated by combustion ofthe packaged or containerized shaped burnable fuel 434 and its ash,along with the cement raw materials combine to produce a cement clinkercomposition.

Basic Methods Fix all of 5 Series Drawings

Referring now to FIG. 5A, an embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 500, is shown to include a supplying step 502 ofproviding a healthcare material as a burnable fuel comprising one or aplurality of source healthcare materials having a certain componentmake-up. The method 500 also includes a burning step 504, where thehealthcare material is burned to produce a cement clinker composition.

Referring now to FIG. 5B, an embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 500, is shown to include a supplying step 502 ofproviding an input material comprising one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials having a certain component make-up. The method 500also includes a sizing or sizing and homogenizing step 506, where theinput material is sized or sized and partially or completely homogenizedto form a particulate burnable fuel. The method 500 also includes astoring step 508, where the particulate burnable fuel is stored in astorage subsystem for later use, shipment or transportation.

Referring now to FIG. 5C, another embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 500, is shown to include a supplying step 502 ofproviding an input material comprising one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials having a certain component make-up. The method 500also includes a sizing or sizing and homogenizing step 506, where theinput material is sized or sized and partially or completely homogenizedto form a particulate burnable fuel. The method 500 also includes aburning step 504, where the particulate burnable fuel is burned toproduce a cement clinker composition.

Referring now to FIG. 5D, another embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 500, is shown to include a supplying step 502 ofproviding an input material comprising one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials having a certain component make-up. The method 500also includes a sizing or sizing and homogenizing step 506, where theinput material is sized or sized and partially or completely homogenizedto form a particulate burnable fuel. The method 500 also includes apackaging step 510, where the particulate burnable fuel is packaged toform a packaged or containerized particulate burnable fuel. The method500 also includes a storing step 508, where the packaged orcontainerized, particulate burnable fuel is stored in a storagesubsystem for later use, shipment or transportation.

Referring now to FIG. 5E, another embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 500, is shown to include a supplying step 502 ofproviding an input material comprising one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials having a certain component make-up. The method 500also includes a sizing or sizing and homogenizing step 506, where theinput material is sized or sized and partially or completely homogenizedto form a particulate burnable fuel. The method also includes apackaging step 510, where the particulate burnable fuel is packaged toform a packaged or containerized particulate burnable fuel. The method500 also includes a burning step 504, where the packaged orcontainerized, particulate burnable fuel is burned to produce a cementclinker composition.

Referring now to FIG. 5F, another embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 500, is shown to include a supplying step 502 ofproviding an input material comprising one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials having a certain component make-up. The method 500also includes a sizing or sizing and homogenizing step 506, where theinput material is sized or sized and partially or completely homogenizedto form a particulate burnable fuel. The method 500 also includes ashaping step 512, where the particulate burnable fuel is formed into aburnable compact shape for form a shaped burnable fuel. The shaping step512 can be a pelletizing step, producing burnable fuel pellets, anextruding step, producing burnable extrudates, or any other step thatforms the particular burnable fuel into a compact shape. The method 500also includes a storing step 508, where the shaped burnable fuel isstored in a storage subsystem for later use, shipment or transportation.

Referring now to FIG. 5G, another embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 500, is shown to include a supplying step 502 ofproviding an input material comprising one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials having a certain component make-up. The method 500also includes a sizing or sizing and homogenizing step 506, where theinput material is sized or sized and partially or completely homogenizedto form a particulate burnable fuel. The method 500 also includes ashaping step 512, where the particulate burnable fuel is formed into aburnable compact shape to form a shaped burnable fuel. The shaping step512 can be a pelletizing step, producing burnable fuel pellets, anextruding step, producing burnable extrudates, or any other step thatforms the particular burnable fuel into a compact shape. The method 500also includes a burning step 504, where the shaped burnable fuel isburned to produce a cement clinker composition.

Referring now to FIG. 5H, another embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 500, is shown to include a supplying step 502 ofproviding an input material comprising one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials having a certain component make-up. The method alsoincludes a sizing or sizing and homogenizing step 506, where the inputmaterial is sized or sized and partially or completely homogenized toform a particulate burnable fuel. The method 500 also includes a shapingstep 512, where the particulate burnable fuel is formed into a burnablecompact shape to form a shaped burnable fuel. The shaping step 512 canbe a pelletizing step, producing burnable fuel pellets, an extrudingstep, producing burnable extrudates, or any other step that forms theparticular burnable fuel into a compact shape. The method 500 alsoincludes a packaging step 510, where the shaped burnable fuel ispackaged to form a packaged or containerized shaped burnable fuel. Themethod 500 also includes a storing step 508, where the containerizedshaped burnable fuel is stored in a storage subsystem for later use,shipment or transportation.

Referring now to FIG. 5I, another embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 500, is shown to include a supplying step 502 ofproviding an input material comprising one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials having a certain component make-up. The method alsoincludes a sizing or sizing and homogenizing step 506, where the inputmaterial is sized or sized and partially or completely homogenized toform a particulate burnable fuel. The method 500 also includes a shapingstep 512, where the particulate burnable fuel is formed into a burnablecompact shape to form a shaped burnable fuel. The shaping step can be apelletizing step, producing burnable fuel pellets, an extruding step,producing burnable extrudates, or any other step that forms theparticular burnable fuel into a compact shape. The method 500 alsoincludes a packaging step 510, where the shaped burnable fuel ispackaged to form a packaged or containerized shaped burnable fuel. Themethod 500 also includes a burning step 504, where the packaged orcontainerized, shaped burnable fuel is burned to produce a cementclinker composition.

Basic with Methods with Pre-Processing or Pre-Treating

Referring now to FIG. 6A, an embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 600, is shown to include a supplying step 602 ofproviding an input material comprising one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials having a certain component make-up. The method 600also includes a pre-treating step 604, where the input material ispre-treated to form a pre-treated material as a burnable fuel. Themethod 600 also includes a burning step 606, where the pre-treatedmaterial is burned to produce a cement clinker composition.

Referring now to FIG. 6B, another embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 600, is shown to include a supplying step 602 ofproviding an input material comprising one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials having a certain component make-up. The method 600also includes a pre-treating step 604, where the input material ispre-treated to form a pre-treated material. The method 600 also includesa sizing or sizing and homogenizing step 608, where the pre-treatedmaterial is sized or sized and partially or completely homogenized toform a particulate burnable fuel. The method 600 also includes a storingstep 610, where the burnable fuel is stored in a storage subsystem forlater use, shipment or transportation.

Referring now to FIG. 6C, another embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 600, is shown to include a supplying step 602 ofproviding an input material comprising one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials having a certain component make-up. The method 600also includes a pre-treating step 604, where the input material ispre-treated to form a pre-treated material. The method 600 also includesa sizing or sizing and homogenizing step 608, where the pre-treatedmaterial is sized or sized and partially or completely homogenized toform a particulate burnable fuel. The method 600 also includes a burningstep 606, where the particulate burnable fuel is burned to produce acement clinker composition.

Referring now to FIG. 6D, another embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 600, is shown to include a supplying step 602 ofproviding an input material comprising one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials having a certain component make-up. The method 600also includes a pre-treating step 604, where the input material ispre-treated to form a pre-treated material. The method 600 also includesa sizing or sizing and homogenizing step 608, where the pre-treatedmaterial is sized or sized and partially or completely homogenized toform a particulate burnable fuel. The method 600 also includes apackaging step 612, where the particulate burnable fuel is packaged toform a packaged or containerized particular burnable fuel. The method600 also includes a storing step 610, where the packaged orcontainerized particulate burnable fuel is stored in a storage subsystemfor later use, shipment or transportation.

Referring now to FIG. 6E, another embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 600, is shown to include a supplying step 602 ofproviding an input material comprising one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials having a certain component make-up. The method 600also includes a pre-treating step 604, where the input material ispre-treated to form a pre-treated material. The method 600 also includesa sizing or sizing and homogenizing step 608, where the pre-treatedmaterial is sized or sized and partially or completely homogenized toform a particulate burnable fuel. The method 600 also includes apackaging step 612, where the particulate burnable fuel is packaged toform a packaged or containerized particulate burnable fuel. The method600 also includes a burning step 606, where the packaged orcontainerized, particulate burnable fuel is burned to produce a cementclinker composition.

Referring now to FIG. 6F, another embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 600, is shown to include a supplying step 602 ofproviding an input material comprising one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials having a certain component make-up. The method 600also includes a pre-treating step 604, where the input material ispre-treated to form a pre-treated material. The method 600 also includesa sizing or sizing and homogenizing step 608, where the pre-treatedmaterial is sized or sized and partially or completely homogenized toform a particulate burnable fuel. The method 600 also includes a shapingstep 614, where the particulate burnable fuel is formed into a burnablecompact shape to form a shaped burnable fuel. The shaping step 614 canbe a pelletizing step, producing burnable fuel pellets, an extrudingstep, producing burnable extrudates, or any other step that forms theparticular burnable fuel into a compact shape. The method 600 alsoincludes a storing step 610, where the shaped burnable fuel is stored ina storage subsystem for later use, shipment or transportation.

Referring now to FIG. 6G, another embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 600, is shown to include a supplying step 602 ofproviding an input material comprising one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials having a certain component make-up. The method 600also includes a pre-treating step 604, where the input material ispre-treated to form a pre-treated material. The method 600 also includesa sizing or sizing and homogenizing step 608, where the pre-treatedmaterial is sized or sized and partially or completely homogenized toform a particulate burnable fuel. The method 600 also includes a shapingstep 614, where the particulate burnable fuel is formed into a burnablecompact shape to form a shaped burnable fuel. The shaping step 614 canbe a pelletizing step, producing burnable fuel pellets, an extrudingstep, producing burnable extrudates, or any other step that forms theparticular burnable fuel into a compact shape. The method 600 alsoincludes a burning step 606, where the shaped burnable fuel is burned toproduce a cement clinker composition.

Referring now to FIG. 6H, another embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 600, is shown to include a supplying step 602 ofproviding an input material comprising one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials having a certain component make-up. The method 600also includes a pre-treating step 604, where the input material ispre-treated to form a pre-treated material. The method 600 also includesa sizing or sizing and homogenizing step 608, where the pre-treatedmaterial is sized or sized and partially or completely homogenized toform a particulate burnable fuel. The method 600 also includes a shapingstep 614, where the particulate burnable fuel is formed into a burnablecompact shape to form a shaped burnable fuel. The shaping step 614 canbe a pelletizing step, producing burnable fuel pellets, an extrudingstep, producing burnable extrudates, or any other step that forms theparticular burnable fuel into a compact shape. The method 600 alsoincludes a packaging step 612, where the shaped burnable fuel ispackaged to form a packaged or containerized shaped burnable fuel. Themethod 600 also includes a storing step 610, where the packaged shapedburnable fuel is stored in a storage subsystem for later use, shipmentor transportation.

Referring now to FIG. 6I, another embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 600, is shown to include a supplying step 602 ofproviding an input material comprising one or a plurality of sourcehealthcare materials having a certain component make-up. The method 600also includes a pre-treating step 604, where the input material ispre-treated to form a pre-treated material. The method 600 also includesa sizing or sizing and homogenizing step 608, where the pre-treatedmaterial is sized or sized and partially or completely homogenized toform a particulate burnable fuel. The method 600 also includes a shapingstep 614, where the particulate burnable fuel is formed into a burnablecompact shape to form a shaped burnable fuel. The shaping step 614 canbe a pelletizing step, producing burnable fuel pellets, an extrudingstep, producing burnable extrudates, or any other step that forms theparticular burnable fuel into a compact shape. The method 600 alsoincludes a packaging step 612, where the shaped burnable fuel ispackaged to form a packaged or containerized shaped burnable fuel. Themethod 600 also includes a burning step 606, where the packaged orcontainerized, shaped burnable fuel is burned to produce a cementclinker composition.

In each of the above methods, the particulate burnable fuel or theshaped burnable fuel can be subject to one or more pre-processing orpre-treating steps.

Basic Methods with Two Source Healthcare Materials

Referring now to FIG. 7A, an embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 700, is shown to include a first supplying step 702for providing a first input material comprising one or a plurality ofsource healthcare materials having a first component make-up. The method700 also includes a second supplying step 704 for providing a secondinput material comprising one or a plurality of source healthcarematerials having a second component make-up. The method 700 alsoincludes a pre-treating step 706, where the second input material ispre-treated to form a pre-treated material. The method 700 also includesa burning step 708, where the first input material and the pre-processedmaterial as a burnable fuel is burned to produce a cement clinkercomposition.

Referring now to FIG. 7B, another embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 700, is shown to include a first supplying step 702for providing a first input material comprising one or a plurality ofsource healthcare materials having a first component make-up. The method700 also includes a second supplying step 704 for providing a secondinput material comprising one or a plurality of source healthcarematerials having a second component make-up. The method 700 alsoincludes a pre-treating step 706, where the second input material ispre-treated to form a pre-treated material. The method 700 also includesa sizing or sizing and homogenizing step 710, where the first input andthe pre-treated materials are sized or sized and partially or completelyhomogenized to form a particulate burnable fuel. The method 700 alsoincludes a storing step 712, where the particulate burnable fuel isstored in a storage subsystem for later use, shipment or transportation.

Referring now to FIG. 7C, another embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 700, is shown to include a first supply step 702for providing a first input material comprising one or a plurality ofsource healthcare materials having a first component make-up. The method700 also includes a second supplying step 704 for providing a secondinput material comprising one or a plurality of source healthcarematerials having a second component make-up. The method 700 alsoincludes a pre-treating step 706, where the second input material ispre-treated to form a pre-treated material. The method 700 also includesa sizing or sizing and homogenizing step 710, where the first input andthe pre-treated materials are sized or sized and partially or completelyhomogenized to form a particulate burnable fuel. The method 700 alsoincludes a burning step 708, where the particulate burnable fuel isburned to produce a cement clinker composition.

Referring now to FIG. 7D, another embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 700, is shown to include a first supply step 702for providing a first input material comprising one or a plurality ofsource healthcare materials having a first component make-up. The method700 also includes a second supplying step 704 for providing a secondinput material comprising one or a plurality of source healthcarematerials having a second component make-up. The method 700 alsoincludes a pre-treating step 706, where the second input material ispre-treated to form a pre-treated material. The method 700 also includesa sizing or sizing and homogenizing step 710, where the first input andthe pre-treated materials are sized or sized and partially or completelyhomogenized to form a particulate burnable fuel. The method 700 alsoincludes a packaging step 714, where the particulate burnable fuel ispackaged to form a packaged or containerized particulate burnable fuel.The method 700 also includes a storing step 712, where the packaged orcontainerized particulate burnable fuel is stored in a storage subsystemfor later use, shipment or transportation.

Referring now to FIG. 7E, another embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 700, is shown to include a first supply step 702for providing a first input material comprising one or a plurality ofsource healthcare materials having a first component make-up. The method700 also includes a second supplying step 704 for providing a secondinput material comprising one or a plurality of source healthcarematerials having a second component make-up. The method 700 alsoincludes a pre-treating step 706, where the second input material ispre-treated to form a pre-treated material. The method 700 also includesa sizing or sizing and homogenizing step 710, where the first input andthe pre-treated materials are sized or sized and partially or completelyhomogenized to form a particulate burnable fuel. The method 700 alsoincludes a packaging step 714, where the particulate burnable fuel ispackaged to form a packaged or containerized particulate burnable fuel.The method 700 also includes a burning step 712, where the packaged orcontainerized particulate burnable fuel is burned to produce a cementclinker composition.

Referring now to FIG. 7F, another embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 700, is shown to include a first supply step 702for providing a first input material comprising one or a plurality ofsource healthcare materials having a first component make-up. The method700 also includes a second supplying step 704 for providing a secondinput material comprising one or a plurality of source healthcarematerials having a second component make-up. The method 700 alsoincludes a pre-treating step 706, where the second input material ispre-treated to form a pre-treated material. The method 700 also includesa sizing or sizing and homogenizing step 710, where the first input andthe pre-treated materials are sized or sized and partially or completelyhomogenized to form a particulate burnable fuel. The method 700 alsoincludes a shaping step 716, where the particulate burnable fuel andoptionally all or a portion of the ash are formed into a burnablecompact shape to form a shaped burnable fuel. The shaping step 716 canbe a pelletizing step, producing burnable fuel pellets, an extrudingstep, producing burnable extrudates, or any other step that forms theparticular burnable fuel into a compact shape. The method 700 alsoincludes a storing step 712, where the shaped burnable fuel is stored ina storage subsystem for later use, shipment or transportation.

Referring now to FIG. 7G, another embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 700, is shown to include a first supply step 702for providing a first input material comprising one or a plurality ofsource healthcare materials having a first component make-up. The method700 also includes a second supplying step 704 for providing a secondinput material comprising one or a plurality of source healthcarematerials having a second component make-up. The method 700 alsoincludes a pre-treating step 706, where the second input material ispre-treated to form a pre-treated material. The method 700 also includesa sizing or sizing and homogenizing step 710, where the first input andthe pre-treated materials are sized or sized and partially or completelyhomogenized to form a particulate burnable fuel. The method 700 alsoincludes a shaping step 716, where the particulate burnable fuel isformed into a burnable compact shape to form a shaped burnable fuel. Theshaping step 716 can be a pelletizing step, producing burnable fuelpellets, an extruding step, producing burnable extrudates, or any otherstep that forms the particulate burnable fuel into a compact shape. Themethod 700 also includes a burning step 708, where the shaped burnablefuel is burned to produce a cement clinker composition.

Referring now to FIG. 7H, another embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 700, is shown to include a first supply step 702for providing a first input material comprising one or a plurality ofsource healthcare materials having a first component make-up. The method700 also includes a second supplying step 704 for providing a secondinput material comprising one or a plurality of source healthcarematerials having a second component make-up. The method 700 alsoincludes a pre-treating step 706, where the second input material ispre-treated to form a pre-treated material. The method 700 also includesa sizing or sizing and homogenizing step 710, where the first input andthe pre-treated materials are sized or sized and partially or completelyhomogenized to form a particulate burnable fuel. The method 700 alsoincludes a shaping step 716, where the particulate burnable fuel isformed into a burnable compact shape to form a shaped burnable fuel. Theshaping step 716 can be apelletizing step, producing burnable fuelpellets, an extruding step, producing burnable extrudates, or any otherstep that forms the particulate burnable fuel into a compact shape. Themethod 700 also includes a packaging step 714, where the shaped burnablefuel is packaged to form a packaged or containerized shaped burnablefuel. The method 700 also includes a storing step 712, where thepackaged or containerized shaped burnable fuel is stored in a storagesubsystem for later use, shipment or transportation.

Referring now to FIG. 7I, another embodiment of a method of the presentinvention, generally 700, is shown to include a first supply step 702for providing a first input material comprising one or a plurality ofsource healthcare materials having a first component make-up. The method700 also includes a second supplying step 704 for providing a secondinput material comprising one or a plurality of source healthcarematerials having a second component make-up. The method 700 alsoincludes a pre-treating step 706, where the second input material ispre-treated to form a pre-treated material. The method 700 also includesa sizing or sizing and homogenizing step 710, where the first input andthe pre-treated materials are sized or sized and partially or completelyhomogenized to form a particulate burnable fuel. The method 700 alsoincludes a shaping step 716, where the particulate burnable fuel isformed into a burnable compact shape to form a shaped burnable fuel. Theshaping step 716 can be apelletizing step, producing burnable fuelpellets, an extruding step, producing burnable extrudates, or any otherstep that forms the particular burnable fuel into a compact shape. Themethod 700 also includes a packaging step 714, where the shaped burnablefuel is packaged to form a packaged or containerized shaped burnablefuel. The method 700 also includes a burning step 708, where thepackaged or containerize shaped burnable fuel is burned to produce acement clinker composition.

In each of the above methods, the particulate burnable fuel or theshaped burnable fuel can be subject to one or more pre-processing orpre-treating steps.

EXPERIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Example 1

The following data was obtained from a pilot plant facility, where usedor waste material was pre-treated by disinfecting and shredded to formthe particulate burnable fuel of the present invention.

Used or waste material was analyzed based on component makeup. Theanalysis revealed the component ranges set forth in Table I.

TABLE 1 Constituent List and Ranges % Range Constituent Low High %Typical Plastic 50 100 70 Cardboard 15 100 29 Stainless Steel 0 5 1

Example 2

The following data was obtained from a pilot plant facility, where usedor waste material was disinfected and shredded to form a burnable fueland an ash obtained from burning of other used or waste material wereburned and the resulting ash analyzed.

Disinfected shredded samples were received in 2.5 gallon buckets andwere non-homogeneous at the one gram sub-sample size. Samples wereshredded for particle size reduction. Coarsely milled and finely milledsample splits were returned and showed some inhomogeneity. The morefinely milled sample split was utilized for all analyses.

Due to sample inhomogeneity, all analyses were performed multiple times(duplicate minimum) and values reported as represent “best value”averages. All data were reported on a finely milled sample weight basis.

Samples were stage ashed to 750° C. and held at temperature for 8 hoursfor ash percentage determination. After weighing, ash residues werefused with lithium metaborate for ash component analyses.

Metals except for mercury were determined by ICP-AES and ICP-MS aftertotal sample decomposition with mixed acids including hydrofluoric acidor by high temperature fusion of sample ash with lithium metaborate.Mercury was determined by combustion/amalgamation cold vapor atomicabsorption.

Bromide, chloride, nitrate, sulfate, and ortho-phosphate were measuredby ion chromatography on washings from oxygen bomb combustion, and donot necessarily represent elements in these oxidation states prior tocombustion.

Higher heating value is the gross calorific content and has not beencorrected for possible sulfur content according to ASTM D5865.

The incinerated ash had a BTU/lb value of 5321 (12,377 MJ/kg) resultingin a 49 wt. % residue after burning at 750° C. The resulting ash had anelemental analysis tabulated in TABLE II.

TABLE II Element Analysis of Ash in μg/g Br⁻ Cl⁻ NO₃ ⁻ SO₄ ²⁻ o-PO₄ ³⁻Ag Al As Ba Be Cd Ca Co Cr 60 1730 440 2840 <20 26 36500 3.6 6000 0.71.5 23600 24 1060 Cu Fe Pb Mg Mn Hg Ni K Si Na Tl Ti Zn 450 12100 1627800 340 0.12 500 5370 119000 16700 0.04 5560 4390

The particulate burnable fuel had a BTU/lb value of 16400 (38,150 MJ/kg)resulting in a 5.6 wt. % residue after burning at 750° C. The resultingash had an elemental analysis tabulated in TABLE III.

TABLE III Element Analysis of Ash in μg/g Br⁻ Cl⁻ NO₃ ⁻ SO₄ ²⁻ o-PO₄ ³⁻Ag Al As Ba Be Cd Ca Co Cr <20 240 71000 1400 <20 78 2420 1.6 710 0.10.1 1950 33 4700 Cu Fe Pb Mg Mn Hg Ni K Si Na Tl Ti Zn 110 33400 24 210580 0.06 2870 560 5610 1280 <0.01 1520 330

Example 3

A used or waste material was obtained, disinfected, shredded andpelletized.

Referring to FIG. 8, a photograph of the particulate burnable fuel isshown comprising particles between about 19.05 mm and about 38.1 mm. Theparticulate burnable fuel had a bulk density between about 12 lb/ft³(0.19 g/cm³) and about 15 lb/ft³ (0.24 g/cm³). The particulate burnablefuel can have a greater or lower density depending on composition and/orprocessing.

Referring to FIG. 9, the burnable fuel of FIG. 8 was pelletized to formshaped substantially cylindrical shapes. The shapes have a diameterbetween about 10 mm and about 15 mm and a length between 3 cm and about5 cm. The shapes are shown here to be cracked with jagged ends. Theshaped burnable fuel has a bulk density of 20 lb/ft³ (0.32 g/cm³) andabout 30 lb/ft³ (0.48 g/cm³). The shaped burnable fuel can have agreater or lower density depending on composition and/or processing.

Referring to FIG. 10, a photograph of a source of used healthcarematerials is shown. The material consists of boxes that would bedelivered to a burnable fuel supply subsystem for used directly as afuel or as a source material for processing into an input material, apre-processed material, a particulate burnable fuel, and/or a shapedburnable fuel.

Referring to FIG. 11, a photograph of a pre-processed, here disinfected,materials is shown. The material consists of plastic containersmanufactured by Sharps Compliance, Inc. of Houston, Tex., filledpartially or completely with used healthcare materials including metalmaterials that have been autoclaved to disinfected the used healthcarematerials contained therein. The pre-processed material can be useddirectly as a fuel or can shredded or shredded and shaped to form aparticulate burnable fuel and/or a shaped burnable fuel.

All references cited herein are incorporated by reference. Although theinvention has been disclosed with reference to its preferredembodiments, from reading this description those of skill in the art mayappreciate changes and modification that may be made which do not departfrom the scope and spirit of the invention as described above andclaimed hereafter.

We claim:
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 40. A burnable fuel compositioncomprising a particulate burnable fuel including a disinfected used orwaste material, optionally an ash and optionally a binding agent, wherethe used or waste material comprises pulp materials, polymer materials,metal materials, and/or other materials, where the fuel is suitable foruse in cement plants.
 41. The composition of claim 40, wherein theparticulate material is compressed or shaped into a shape to form ashaped burnable fuel.
 42. The composition of claim 40, furthercomprising an effective amount of the binding agent.
 43. The compositionof claim 40, wherein the metal materials are selected from the groupconsisting of aluminum, aluminum alloys, iron, iron alloys, nickel,nickel alloys, tin, tin alloys, copper, copper alloys, etc. and/ormixtures of combinations thereof.
 44. The composition of claim 40,wherein the used or waste material includes from about 20 wt. % to about100 wt. % polymer materials, from about 0 wt. % to about 100 wt. % ofpulp materials, and from about 0 wt. % to about 10 wt. % metalmaterials.
 45. The composition of claim 40, wherein the used or wastematerial includes from about 20 wt. % to about 100 wt. % polymermaterials, from about 0 wt. % to about 100 wt. % of pulp materials, fromabout 0 wt. % to about 10 wt. % metal materials, and from about 0 wt. %to about 50 wt. % other materials.
 46. The composition of claim 40,wherein the used or waste material includes from about 0 wt. % to about100 wt. % polymer materials, from about 10 wt. % to about 100 wt. % ofpulp materials, from about 0 wt. % to about 10 wt. % metal materials,from about 5 wt. % to about 100 wt. % other materials, and from about 0wt. % to about 40 wt. % of a binding agent.
 47. The composition of claim40, wherein the particles have a smallest dimension of between about1.00 mm and about 100 mm.
 48. The composition of claim 40, wherein theparticles have a smallest dimension between about 19.05 mm and about25.4 mm.
 49. The composition of claim 41, where the shape is an elongateshape having a diameter between about 5 mm and about 20 mm and length ofabout 2 cm to about 10 cm.
 50. The composition of claim 41, wherein theelongate shape is a cylindrical shape or substantially cylindricalshape.
 51. The composition of claim 41, wherein the shape is an elongateshape having a diameter between about 10 mm and about 20 mm and a lengthbetween 3 cm and about 5 cm.
 52. The composition of claim 41, whereinthe shape is an elongate shape having a diameter between about 10 mm andabout 15 mm and a length between 3 cm and about 5 cm.